| U.S. cities celebrate National Mexican holiday | | | | showcases a vast wealth of artistic tradition from |
| observing Puebla's victory over the French | | | | Nayarit and throughout the Mexican republic. |
| It is party time in the United States with the | | | | ATLANTA (Georgia): May 6 --Considered the |
| Cinco de Mayo fiestas around the corner. So raise | | | | largest outdoor Hispanic family festival, Fiesta |
| your tequila glass and rock out Mexican style to | | | | Atlanta takes place at Centennial Olympic Park in |
| celebrate the holiday that commemorates | | | | downtown Atlanta, the day after Cinco de Mayo. |
| Mexico's victory over the French. | | | | Over 25,000 people are expected to attend this |
| Cinco de Mayo is one of the most celebrated | | | | event with a day-long celebration of Latino |
| Mexican national holidays in the United States, | | | | culture, music, food and handicrafts. |
| where many U.S. businesses and restaurants are | | | | AUSTIN (Texas): May 3-6--The Texas capital city |
| decorated in green, white and red, the colors of | | | | of Austin hosts the annual Cinco de Mayo Music |
| Mexico's flag, to observe this important day in | | | | Festival, featuring an array of activities including |
| traditional Mexican fanfare. Although Cinco de | | | | Little Cinco, a Jalapeño Eating Contest, and |
| Mayo celebrates the determination of Mexicans to | | | | dance contests including Salsa, Jitterbug, Polka and |
| remain free from foreign control, it is not Mexico's | | | | more. |
| Independence Day. | | | | CHARLESTON (South Carolina) --Charleston's |
| HISTORY | | | | second annual Cinco de Mayo Festival will take |
| Following the devastating loss of the | | | | place on Cinco de Mayo, at the Visitors Center |
| Mexican-American War in 1848, Mexico was both | | | | Bus Terminal in downtown Charleston from 7 to |
| financially and morally defeated. In 1861, president | | | | 11 PM. The celebration featuring an authentic |
| Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in which all | | | | mariachi band will also have performances by DJ |
| foreign-debt payments would be suspended for a | | | | Luigi Bravo of Latin Groove and professional salsa |
| period of two years. Furious and eager to collect | | | | dancers, as well as a variety of Mexican food, |
| payment, England, France, and Spain invaded | | | | margaritas and beer. |
| Mexico. | | | | CHICAGO (Illinois): May 4-6 -- From Friday to |
| Unbeknownst to the other countries, France had | | | | Sunday, Plaza Garibaldi will be home to a Cinco de |
| its own agenda, ultimately aiming to impose a | | | | Mayo festival in Chicago. With over 25,000 people |
| monarchical government upon the nations of | | | | expected to attend, this event at Little Village, |
| Central and South America. Shortly after | | | | sponsored by UNIVISION, is sure to be a festive |
| President Juarez offered a type of promissory | | | | hit. |
| note that guaranteed payments on its debt after | | | | DENVER (Colorado): May 5-6--Touted as the |
| the two years, England and Spain returned home, | | | | largest Cinco de Mayo Festival in the United |
| but the French continued their siege on Mexico. | | | | States, Denver's festival is lo maximo. Now in its |
| On May 5, 1862, Juarez commanded General | | | | 19th year, the festivities emphasize the |
| Ignacio Zaragoza to block the advance of the | | | | celebration of freedom and culture, Denverites |
| French forces at the fortified hills of Loreto and | | | | enjoy six stages of live entertainment, dancing, |
| Guadalupe near the city of Puebla. With only 2,000 | | | | food and crafts at the Civic Center Park. In |
| men, most of them local Zacapoaxtla Indians | | | | addition, the celebration includes a special concert |
| from the Puebla region with no formal military | | | | with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra among |
| training and little weaponry, the Mexicans were | | | | others, on May 4 and a Cinco de Mayo Civil Rights |
| able to briefly defeat the French army of 6,000. | | | | Award event held (date to be announced). |
| The victory was short-lived, though soon after, | | | | EL PASO (Texas): May 5 -- This "Taste of the |
| France conquered Puebla and the rest of Mexico, | | | | Border" festival featuring mariachis, margaritas, |
| ruling until 1867. Through a popular revolt, Juarez | | | | tequila and a mole extravaganza kicks off at 3:00 |
| was finally restored to power, remaining leader of | | | | and goes into the wee hours of the night. |
| Mexico until his death in 1872. | | | | LITTLE ROCK (Arkansas): May 6 -- Organized by |
| BEYOND CINCO DE MAYO | | | | the League of United Latin American Citizens |
| Cinco de Mayo was born in the central Mexican | | | | (LULAC), this 9th annual Cinco de Mayo party will |
| state of Puebla. Its capital city, also called Puebla, | | | | be held in the River Market Pavilion in downtown |
| is one of the most impressive and oldest colonial | | | | Little Rock. Miss Cinco de Mayo will be crowned at |
| cities in Mexico. Declared a UNESCO World | | | | this all day event. |
| Heritage Site for its unique beauty, the | | | | NEW BRUNSWICK (New Jersey): May 5 -- |
| magnificent historic center is an ideal starting point | | | | Featuring a variety of different Mexican foods and |
| for a Cinco de Mayo tour. | | | | musical talents is the Cinco de Mayo Festivities in |
| While in Puebla, visitors can enjoy the historical | | | | New Jersey, supported by Mexico Americana at |
| Cinco de Mayo sites such as the tomb and | | | | Joyce Kilmer Park. |
| monument of Ignacio Zaragoza, the general who | | | | NEW YORK (New York): May 6 -- Organized by |
| led Mexico to victory over France. The site of the | | | | the Fiestas Patria de Casa Puebla committee is |
| battle is also a popular destination, featuring a | | | | the Cinco de May Festival in Queens. From 10 to |
| museum with a display of hundreds of toy | | | | 6 on Sunday, there will be a variety of musical |
| soldiers set up to show what happened on that | | | | talents, foods and handicrafts at Flushing |
| day. Art expositions, concerts of both | | | | Meadows Corona Park. |
| contemporary and classical Mexican music and a | | | | OAKLAND (California): May 5 -- This traditional |
| Mexican film series are also part of the | | | | celebration which had over 100,000 attendees last |
| attractions. | | | | year, the Cinco de Mayo Fruitvale Festival & |
| An annual parade is held down Cinco de Mayo | | | | Parade, located in the Fruitvale district of Oakland. |
| Avenue, and festivities include a reenactment of | | | | The family festival will feature stages of |
| the famous battle. Men dress as French and | | | | entertainment, more than 200 vendors, children's |
| Mexican soldiers and generals, and women wear | | | | activities and arts and crafts. |
| the clothing of the "soldaderas," the women who | | | | PORTLAND (Oregon): May 3-6--Portland's Cinco de |
| cooked and looked after the soldiers in wartime. | | | | Mayo Fiesta is a family oriented, fun-filled event |
| In some representations, the Mexican soldiers | | | | featuring four entertainment stages, delightful |
| carry machetes and old gun-power rifles, and the | | | | activities for children, artisans and vendors from |
| French soldiers carry bags with wine bottles and | | | | the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Visitors can also |
| fruit. | | | | enjoy the Third Annual Mariachi Festival, folkloric |
| Puebla has much more to offer besides its | | | | ballet and delicious food from some of the finest |
| traditional Cinco de Mayo sites. Also worth a visit | | | | restaurants in the Northwest. |
| are the museums displaying archeological objects, | | | | ST. PAUL (Minnesota): May 4-5--Festivities include |
| paintings, railroad cars, and other historic | | | | salsa-tasting contest, a children's area, sports |
| treasures, as well as many shops that specialize in | | | | zone, craft vendors, a parade, a history area and |
| Talavera pottery and traditional treats. Wander | | | | live music and entertainment, featuring a variety |
| through the Los Sapos district to buy antiques | | | | of Hispanic/Latino dancers, performers and |
| and to sample wonderful poblano dishes including | | | | musicians. |
| mole and chiles en nogada (when in season) from | | | | SAN ANTONIO (Texas): May 4-6--San Antonio |
| a wide range of restaurants. | | | | draws about 30,000 to its festivities with food |
| Puebla State offers other beautiful cities to visit in | | | | booths at its historic Market Square, street |
| addition to its capital city. Cholula, located about 5 | | | | dancing, handicrafts, concerts and other |
| miles from the city of Puebla, has a very | | | | commemorations. Everyone from mariachis and |
| important archeological site that includes the "Gran | | | | folkloric dancers to Tejano and conjunto groups |
| Piramide" (the Big Pyramid), also known as the | | | | provide plenty of entertaining activities. |
| Tenapa Pyramid, occupying more space than any | | | | SAN DIEGO (California): May 5-6--Visitors will |
| other pyramid in the world. Built on top of the | | | | enjoy a weekend of festivities including open-air |
| pyramid is the church Iglesia de Nuestra | | | | entertainment featuring more than 200 |
| Señora de los Remedios which was | | | | performers at eight venues, also more than 100 |
| completed in 1666. Its symbolic position stands | | | | specialty booths handcrafts and a Mexican feast |
| witness to the role of the Catholic church in the | | | | featuring a delicious variety of regional cuisine |
| conversion of the indigenous people. | | | | About the Mexico Tourism Board |
| CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATIONS IN THE | | | | The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together |
| UNITED STATES | | | | the resources of federal and state governments, |
| Typically held during the first week of May, Cinco | | | | municipalities and private companies to promote |
| de Mayo boasts carnivals, street fairs and | | | | Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations |
| multi-day festivals held over the U.S. Below is a list | | | | internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is |
| of some of the largest celebrations in the United | | | | Mexico's tourism promotion agency, and its |
| States. | | | | participants include members of both the private |
| ALBUQUERQUE (New Mexico): May 5 --The New | | | | and public sectors. The MTB has offices |
| Mexican capital, Albuquerque, will be hosting a | | | | throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin |
| Cinco de Mayo celebration with Ballet Folklorico. | | | | America. |
| This troupe from the Mexican state of Nayarit, | | | | |